Crews closed one of the major arteries used to get from parts of Montgomery County and Philadelphia to the Main Line and Center City after cars slipped off the icy roadway.
The wrecks caused crews to close both directions of Lincoln Drive near Gypsy Lane shortly around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.
As Skyforce10 hovered overhead a short time later, firefighters could be seen responding to a sedan that went off the road and nearly into the adjacent Wissahickon Creek.
Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan tweeted that the crash and at least one other nearby wreck were caused by ice that refroze on the roadway overnight. There were also reports of other minor crashes along the windy roadway.
No injuries were reported.
The road remained closed from City Avenue to W Rittenhouse Street, said police.
Motorists were urged to use caution not only on the Lincoln Drive but other area roads as black ice caused slippery conditions.
A massive fire at a Montgomery county apartment complex that likely started in the trash chute left one resident dead, two others hurt and a firefighter injured.
"the hallway was just pitch black with smoke," said resident "Steve."
Crews blocked off surrounding streets as they battled the fire at the Norris Apartments on Swede Street near Marshall Street in Norristown, Pennsylvania early Wednesday morning.
The blaze left one resident dead, two residents with what firefighters described as minor injuries and a firefighter with a hand injury.
It could have been worse if not for quick
"The credit really goes to the firefighters who braved the elements and the tenuous situation," said Steve. "I'm just happy to be here."
The fire chased at least 21 people — no families — from their homes in the five-story building were sheltered by the American Red Cross at nearby Norristown High School. At least nine people from nearby homes came to the shelter as well after they lost power.
Some of the fire victims included elderly people and people with disabilities.
Part of rear of the building collapsed.
"The fire did burn out of control for sometime," said fire Chief Tom O'Donnell. Crews got the four-alarm blaze under control after nearly six hours.
O'Donnell said that things could have been worse and that firefighters rescued residents from inside multiple units.
Smoke from the blaze could be smelled by people in nearby Bridgeport.
Expect delays in the area around the county courthouse. Elm or Main streets could be used to get around the scene, said NBC10 First Alert Traffic reporter Jillian Mele. Expect some SEPTA delays in the area and icy spots from water runoff.
An initial investigation revealed that the fire likely started in the building's trash chute, said firefighters on the scene.
O'Donnell said that the fire department responded to the apartments just last week after someone left food on a stove.
A Delaware County police officer headed to a house fire wound up needing rescue from the officer’s vehicle Wednesday morning.
The unidentified Nether Providence Township officer was responding to a fire along Washington Avenue in Nether Providence when the officer crashed along W Rose Valley road in Rose Valley, Pennsylvania — about 1 mile away — around 9 a.m.
The officer lost control of his vehicle along the icy road and struck a pole before coming to rest on the side of the road. The wreck left the officer trapped in the police vehicle.
Medics could be seen loading the officer into a waiting ambulance. Police on the scene said he suffered minor injuries that were being treated to Crozer Chester Medical Center.
In the meantime, firefighters battled the house fire — thick smoke could be seen pouring from the building. Crews got out of the building as the fire burned out of control.
No injuries were reported in the blaze.
The exact causes of the wreck and the fire both remained under investigation Wednesday.
A Pennsylvania couple charged with neglect after their one-month-old girl was severely mauled by the family's pet ferrets is due in court for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.
Burnie Fraim, 42, and 24-year-old Jessica Benales are set to appear before a Commonwealth District Court judge in Sharon Hill at 1 p.m., according to court records.
Prosecutors charged each of the Delaware County parents with five counts of endangering the welfare of children last month after their newborn, Skyy Fraim, had her nose and cheek eaten away and upper lip shredded by as many as three ferrets. The baby was strapped into a car seat that was sitting on the floor of the family's Darby home.
Fraim was upstairs sleeping and Benales was in the restroom at the time of the attack, police and the family told NBC10. Fraim said they believed the animals broke out of a mesh pen where they were being kept.
The baby underwent emergency surgery where stents had to be placed in her nose for breathing, police said. She was released from the hospital late last week and placed into foster care along with four of her siblings.
All five children and both parents have special needs and were in the care of three social service agencies at the time of the mauling, authorities tell NBC10. Seven case workers were assigned to the family.
A bail recommendation of 10 percent of $100,000 and a psychological monitoring was denied by a judge, Darby Police Chief Robert Smythe said. The parents were instead released on their own recognizance.
This story will be updated.
Contact Vince Lattanzio at 610.668.5532, vince.lattanzio@nbcuni.com or follow @VinceLattanzio on Twitter and Facebook.
Whether you’re a food artisan looking to hone your culinary skills or are looking to revamp your diet with seasonal fruits and vegetables, head to the Bryn Mawr Farmers Winter Market set to return on Saturday, Feb. 7th.
Located on Lancaster Ave. in front of the Bryn Mawr train station, the year-round market is scheduled to open on the first and third Saturdays during the winter months.
A few of the many vendors include Canter Hill, Davidson Exotics, Frecon Farms, Wildflour Bakery and John & Kira’s Chocolates.
You’ll have the opportunity to indulge in organic produce, free food samples, fresh squeezed juices and tasty treats to satisfy your sweet tooth.
For more information, follow the market’s Facebook page for updates and a full vendor list.
Firefighters battled a blaze at a Germantown apartment building on Wednesday morning.
The fire began inside the 9-story high-rise located along the 6700 block of Emlen Street around 10 a.m., fire officials said.
It appeared the blaze began on the building's 8th floor.
Residents were evacuated as firefighters knocked back the flames.
The fire was brought under control around 10:30 a.m., fire officials said.
No injuries were reported.
Who says you have to leave Pennsylvania to have a luxe getaway? This natural wonders retreat is located about an hour from Pittsburgh and three hours from Philadelphia and D.C., and it’s definitely worth the trip!
Spanning approximately 20,000 acres, the Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County is one of the most visited parks in the United States, attracting millions of visitors each year.
The all-purpose park offers a variety of activities, featuring 79 miles of hiking trails, 27 miles of bicycling trails, and 11.6 miles of horseback riding trails.
To relish the winter months, more than 40 miles of terrain blanketed with snow is dedicated to cross-country skiing, sledding and snowmobiling.
Consider visiting centuries-old landmarks that were sites of the French American War and Whiskey Rebellion. The must-see, 100-acre Youghiogheny River is the heart of this hidden gem, recognized for its botanical diversity and scenic waterfalls.
You can lodge in one of the park’s camping cottages or guesthouses, which abide by a strict quiet hours following 9 p.m., or find alternative housing in nearby communities.
So whether you’re seeking to experience spectacular scenery, winter adventures or a quiet weekend retreat, Ohiopyle State Park may be just the getaway.
Ohiopyle State Park
PO Box 105
Ohiopyle, PA 15470-0105
724-329-8591
Officials in South Jersey are trying to find the owner of a pygmy goat found wandering around a Cumberland County town.
The wayward goat was spotted walking along Irving Avenue near Inspira Hospital in Bridgeton, New Jersey early Tuesday morning, police said.
Officials initially identified the animal as a ram, but animal control later clarified.
Bridgeton Police Officers Jonathon Hovermann and Jennifer Skala were able to nab the black and white colored goat, which they nicknamed "Burgy," and took him to the county SPCA office in Vineland.
"Burgy's" owner is asked to call the SPCA to get him back.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly attraction to get into the winter spirit, the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest at Penn’s Landing may be the perfect solution.
The Winterfest is now open to the public through March 1, with doors opening at 1 p.m. during the weekdays and 11 a.m. on the weekends.
The skating rink features on-site skate rentals for a fee of $13 per person, or you can bring your own and pay a nominal entrance charge of $3.
The seasonal attraction has been a Philly winter tradition for more than 20 years, offering incredible views of the Delaware River and Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
This year’s RiverRink comes equipped with outdoor fire pits, arcade games and a light show every half-hour.
To warm up, you can enjoy a hot beverage and quench your appetite with a delicious meal at The Lodge Restaurant, The Lodge Bar or Distrito Cantina Truck.
For the over-21 crowd, craft beer, wine and hot cocktails are offered at night.
A full list of restaurants and cafes can be found on the RiverRink Winterfest’s website.
The attraction is free admission for Independent Blue Cross card holders for a maximum of four people and $10 for skate rentals.
Pennsylvania State Police are shutting down Interstate 76 westbound near Route 422 for about a half hour on Wednesday to upright an overturned truck.
The tractor-trailer flipped over around 1:30 p.m., blocking one lane of the roadway in Upper Merion, Pennsylvania for several hours.
Police need to shut down all westbound lanes to safely upright the semi and it trailer.
The closure is expected to begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until 6 p.m., state police said.
The driver suffered minor injuries in the crash.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The details of this case are graphic and may be upsetting for some readers.
A Delaware County man was arrested Tuesday after his girlfriend’s son was found dead in a bathtub.
Daniel Grafton(pictured below), 31, is charged with reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child.
Grafton was babysitting his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son Mason Hunt Tuesday inside their apartment on the 400 block of Chester Pike in Norwood, Pennsylvania. At the time, Grafton’s girlfriend was working downstairs at a doctor’s office in the same building.
Grafton’s girlfriend went back into the upstairs apartment around 3:33 p.m. to bring snacks for him and Mason, according to a criminal complaint. At that point, Grafton met her to grab the snacks and told her Mason was in the bathtub. Grafton’s girlfriend then went back downstairs and continued working.
Around 4:40 p.m. Grafton walked downstairs into the doctor’s office carrying Mason’s limp body in his arms while screaming the boy wasn’t breathing, according to the criminal complaint. Grafton told his girlfriend as well as a doctor who was working at the time, that he had left Mason alone in the tub to grab cheese curls and when he returned to the bathroom he found the boy lying face down in the tub, not breathing.
The doctor performed CPR on the boy and noticed several bruises on his body, face, head, eye, abdomen and extremities, according to the criminal complaint. The doctor also told police the boy’s lips were blue, his skin was cold to the touch and she couldn’t feel a pulse.
Police and paramedics quickly arrived at the apartment and took the boy to the hospital. He was pronounced dead at 5:52 p.m. Doctors at the hospital also noticed several injuries and deep bruises on the boy’s body, according to the criminal complaint.
Grafton was taken into custody and interviewed by detectives. During the interview, Grafton showed the detectives a picture he had taken with Mason on his cellphone on Monday, a day before Mason’s death. Police noticed that Mason had no obvious bruises on his face in the picture. During the interview, police determined Grafton found Mason lying face down at 3:45 p.m. but did not seek any medical help until 4:40 p.m., according to the criminal complaint.
Grafton is currently being held at the Delaware County Prison without bail.
This story is developing. Stay with NBC10.com for updates.
A masked suspect, who police say tried to rob a man using a toy gun, is dead after the victim shot him in the head in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, authorities tell NBC10.
The incident took place around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Cobbs Creek Park near the 6700 block of Short Lane in Upper Darby, police said.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said a 67-year-old man was walking when he was confronted by two masked men. One was carrying a stick and the other a toy gun.
The man then pulled out his own .38 caliber handgun and shot one of the suspects in the head, police said. That man died at the scene.
Chitwood said the toy looked like a real weapon and police didn't know it was a fake until they got a close look at it.
"The victim did a great job," Chitwood said.
The second suspect fled and has yet to be found.
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital with chest pains. He did have a concealed-weapons permit, police said.
Charges are not expected since the victim was acting in self-defense, Chitwood said.
Crystal Ellis and her mother are convinced that they won $50,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket, but the New Jersey Lottery says it’s worth just seven dollars.
“We’re not trying to make a big deal out of nothing,” Ellis said.
The dispute is over just one letter. The family from Millville, New Jersey claims it is an “O”, which would lead to the top prize on the Super Crossword ticket. The New Jersey Lottery says that the letter is actually a “C” and that part of the latex covering was not removed completely, which is the reason for the potential confusion.
“There is no discrepancy on this ticket,” said Judith Drucker of the New Jersey Lottery. “Unfortunately, she just misread the ticket.”
Ellis says that she purchased the ticket for her mother at a local 7-Eleven in mid-December, and that she scratched it off in front of an employee, in the store.
Ashish Shah, owner of the 7-Eleven, said, “It looks like O to me… She’s my regular customer. She comes every day.”
After receiving a visit from a lottery investigator and hearing that it was not a grand prize winner, the family threw out the ticket. Only a cellphone picture and a photocopy remain.
“That photocopy was taken before the latex had been removed from the actual playing card,” said Drucker.
Lottery officials say they have no recollection of prior complaints about misprints on lottery tickets. Ellis told NBC10 the entire experience has left her feeling insulted.
"You're going to make me look like an idiot," Ellis said. "Like I couldn't scratch a ticket!"
A man was arrested after he allegedly fired shots at a police officer during a chase in the Kensington section of the city.
A Philadelphia Police officer responded to a report of a person with a gun at 5:48 p.m. Wednesday. When the officer arrived he spotted a man who fit the description of the suspect, according to investigators.
The man allegedly fled on foot then took out a gun and opened fire at the pursuing officer. The officer took out his own weapon and returned fire, police said.
The officer was finally able to apprehend the suspect. Neither the suspect nor the officer were struck in the shootout, investigators said.
The suspect was taken into custody. They have not yet revealed his identity or the specific charges against him.
This story is developing. Stay with NBC10.com for updates.
